The evening world., 1887-10-10
PROFESSIONAL OHAPERONEs.
Ladies' whe Find Ii Lucrative 70 Serve a.
Social Fnctotums.


= IPAgadslphia TslograpAs Washinoton letter..
/ don't know Just what to call her. She belongs
peculiarly to Washington and is born of the neces-
stiles Of the place. She Ia several-or rather there
are several OF her. If you are q lady and happen
to be elected to Washington society through hav-
Ing Your husband chosen to sit In the Legislative
halls or to hold other place OF honor under the
Federal Government; you may md her useful.
She teaches how to entertain and clears away the
thorns from your path on your entrance TO WASH
ington society. ,9'" 'r
The wives and daughters Of new Congressman
and oficials are frequently thrown into society
without previous preparation. From the quiet Of
q country home this is n terrible transition. There
are ladies here in Washington whose husbands
have been army, or navy onicers. They, have
sRshi r sns.' 4 me sSG myste aas no of fo a91a a anq usage s.is a arc
familiar to them, but the death or retirement Of
their husbands have reduced their finances below
the figures Of their extravagant tastes. These
ladies now sustain their position In society by lead
ing the uninitiated through the mysterious mazes.
beTs from the back districts the polite forms and
pilot them safely through . winter In washington:
part of q friendly adviser or chaperone. They
are %oourted followed-and paidl They are
and who dictate Its forms now. They now make o
! business OF pleasure. They advise their patrons
talk ak and act, how 4 to set'i their irt tabl eS'S now pS to re- e.
| ceive callers and who to receive; when to call,
how 70 call and who to call on. They tell them
the difference between an ordinary tea and Q high
tea; between q dinner party and q luncheon. They
rub the dust on their dialect and teach them polite
forms Of speech, and tell them what to talk about.
They lead them around the circle and teach by
example. These champeronB are not known as
such except TO those who employ them and they
are the most courted OF all society. They are
experts in washington life.
In the morning, when they are, not circling the
rounds Of society, they act the part Of private con-
versationallsts. There are always a number Of
wealthy ladies who, on account Of not yet knowing
the ways of society, or of III health, or, perhaps,
because they are In mourning, are not in the social
swim.
As conversationaiists, these queens and facto-
tums Of society bring all the gossip and goings on
In society In q morning call upon those wealthy
victims OF seclusion. They tell them who held
receptions last night and who was there; what
them. They relate the latest private scandal; tell
what different people think Of each other, and how
each Is measured up by the whole OF society.
They report how long Mr.. talked with Miss
MILLIONS, and repeat what society" thought
OF IT, They discuss the engagements made, 10 he
made, ana broken Oh. All the little bits of gossip,
small talk, and scandal they carry with exact
memory as 10 all the interesting details, and keep
their secluded patrons as well posted as II they
were among the most gay. They tighten up q
some OF the most fashionable women who have
long been the - leader" of society earn In this
way the means to keep up their establishment and
70 maintain themselves IN fashionable luxury.
The wives and daughters Of some famous men,
now dead, are professional leaders of society, and
live by their profession.